October 25, 1999
(Health and Community Services)

National Immunization Awareness Week

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health and Community Services, today acknowledged October 24-30 as National Immunization Awareness Week (NIAW) in the province.

"As Canada marks National Immunization Awareness Week, our province has much to be proud of. Ninety-eight per cent of our children in Newfoundland and Labrador have been immunized to protect them from diseases such as measles, polio and mumps," said Minister Aylward. "This is one of the highest rates in Canada and indeed one of the highest in the world."

The provincial government spends $1.4 million annually to purchase vaccines to protect our babies, children, adults and older persons from disease. Three immunization programs are offered which are administered primarily by 250 public health nurses in communities throughout our province and by family physicians.

Provincial immunization programs for children include immunization against diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, red measles, mumps, german measles, haemophilus influenza b and hepatitis B. Babies receive shots at several intervals, while older children receive shots in kindergarten, grade four and grade nine.

A post-natal program provides post-natal women who are at risk with a vaccine for German measles. Vaccines for people traveling in areas where they may be susceptible to diseases are also available.

Older persons (everyone 65 and over) can receive a vaccine to prevent pneumonia type illness (this program is also available to people with chronic illness). The annual influenza program continues for people aged 65 and older and for anyone who may be at risk of complications should they develop the flu.

In 1998, the week of October 25 - November 1 was chosen as the first annual NIAW. This week is an opportunity to focus the attention of Canadians on the importance of vaccinations and, in particular, the importance of a regular series of childhood vaccinations.

Media contact: Glenn Bruce, (709) 729-1377.

1999 10 25 3:50 p.m.